More than a dozen new radio stations will be launching in the Channel Islands next year, including dedicated programming for the LGBT community, tourists, children, and the over-60s.
They’ll form part of a group of 22 stations run by Bailiwick Broadcasting, which was yesterday awarded a 12-year licence to provide digital radio in Guernsey, Alderney and Jersey from 2020 by broadcasting regulator Ofcom.
Bailiwick Radio Hits and Bailiwick Radio Classics – Express’s two online channels offering hourly news bulletins – also form part of the offering, alongside existing analogue local radio stations.
Pictured: 22 digital stations will be launching in the Channel Islands in 2020.
Bailiwick Broadcasting was one of three applicants to operate the Channel Islands local radio multiplex licence, alongside Channel 103 and Island FM owner Tindle MuxCo Channel Islands Ltd and Small Digital Planet Ltd.
The applications were considered by Ofcom officials and were also subject to public comment on the Ofcom website.
In the end, the regulator concluded: “There are currently no local DAB radio services in the Channel Islands. By introducing the very large number and range of services listed below, Ofcom considered that Bailiwick Broadcasting Limited’s proposed local radio multiplex service would offer a significant breadth of choice for listeners.”
Bailiwick Broadcasting says it intends to use three transmitters, which will provide outdoor coverage of 93.4% of the Channel Islands and 81.9% indoor coverage.
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